Playoff History
Two out of six yearsLast Appearance
2002, lost in Eastern Conference Finals

2003 In Review:What Went Right?

Chamique Holdsclaw posted her second straight MVP-like season averaging 20.5 points and 10.9 rebounds. She nearly led the WNBA in both categories for the second straight season – a feat matched on the NBA side by only Wilt Chamberlain – coming up just 18 points short.

Holdsclaw

For all of Washington’s problems on offense, they did a remarkably effective job of holding on to the ball turning it over on only 19.2 percent of their possessions.

Second-year pro Asjha Jones increased all of her shooting percentages from her rookie campaign and averaged 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, all at the age of 22.

Stacey Dales-Schuman and Coco Miller also both increased their offensive effectiveness as they each improved their scoring, rebounding and assist averages.

What Went Wrong?

Vicky Bullett retired after the 2002 season and she took the Mystics’ defense with her. Washington opponents hit 45.5 percent of their field goal attempts and 35.5 percent of their three-pointers. The Mystics allowed more points than any team in the league (2,498) and they were the least efficient defensive team in the league (104.5).

The only players on Washington’s roster to connect on more than 45 percent of their field goals last season were Nakia Sanford and Zuzana Zirkova. As a team, the Mystics ranked 11th in the league in field goal percentage and 13th in three-point field goal percentage.

As good as Holdsclaw was last season, she missed seven games with various injuries, and the five-time All-Star has now missed 19 games over the past two seasons.

Head Coach

Michael Adams

2003 Starting Line-up

G

Annie Burgess

G

Stacey Dales-Schuman

C

Murriel Page

F

Chamique Holdsclaw

F

Coco Miller

Key 2003 Reserves

F

Asjha Jones

F

Aiyisha Smith

Key Additions

G

Chasity Melvin (DD)

G

Tamicha Jackson (trade)

Key Losses

F

Asjha Jones

Looking Ahead To 2004:Key Questions

Melvin

Will the additions of head coach Michael Adams and center Chasity Melvin improve the Mystics defense? Melvin was a part of some great Cleveland Rockers’ defenses, and Adams was among the NBA’s steal leaders during the prime of his career, so there is cause for optimism.

Can Holdsclaw stay healthy? She has made it through a complete season on just one occasion (1999), and has missed 19 games over the past two years. Melvin and the number two overall draft pick will provide assistance this season, but having Holdsclaw at 100 percent is key to the long-term success of the team.

Is Tamicha Jackson the Mystics’ answer at the point? She was acquired from Phoenix in a three-team trade in late March which sent Asjha Jones to Connecticut and the number eight pick in the draft to the Mercury. Jackson ranked ninth in the WNBA in assist-to-turnover ratio a year ago and is nine years younger than incumbent point guard Annie Burgess.